Electric fan

ABSTRACT

An electric fan has a bracket, a transmission assembly, a linking assembly, a swing object and a fan. The transmission assembly is mounted on the bracket. The linking assembly is connected to the transmission assembly. The swing object is connected pivotally to the linking assembly. The fan is connected to the swing object. The transmission assembly is actuated to drive the fan to swing up and down and provide gentle and sustained airflow so users can feel truly comfortable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electric fan, and more particularly to an electric fan that provides gentle airflow.

2. Description of the Prior Arts

An electric fan circulates air for improved comfort.

A conventional electric fan has a motor driving a rotor to move the air. However, this creates a tunnel effect, where a strong and concentrated channel of air is produced, which is uncomfortable and blows light objects around. Although the conventional electric fan can be control to rotate and provide week airflow, the airflow still too concentrated.

To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides an electric fan to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to provide an electric fan that provides gentle airflow.

An electric fan comprises a bracket, a transmission assembly, a linking assembly, a swing object and a fan. The bracket has two stands and at least one slot. The at least one slot is formed through one of the stands. The transmission assembly is mounted on the bracket and has a motor and a driven unit. The motor has an output shaft between the stands. The driven unit is attached rotatably to the bracket. The linking assembly is connected to the transmission assembly and has at least one bottom linking rod, at least one middle linking rod, a top linking rod and a guide rod. Each one of the at least one bottom linking rod has a bottom end and a top end. The at least one bottom end of the at least one bottom linking rod is connected securely to the driven unit. Each one of the at least one middle linking rod has a bottom end and a top end. The at least one bottom end of the at least one middle linking rod is connected pivotally to the at least one top end of the at least one bottom linking rod. The top linking rod has a bottom end and a top end. The bottom end of the top linking rod is connected pivotally to the at least one top end of the at least one middle linking rod. The guide rod is mounted through the bottom end of the top linking rod and the at least one top end of the at least one middle linking rod to connect the top linking rod and the middle linking rod pivotally, and is mounted movably through the at least one slot of the bracket. The swing object is connected pivotally to the top end of the top linking rod. A positioning shaft is mounted through the stands and the swing object to connect the swing object and the stands pivotally. The fan is connected to the swing object. The transmission assembly is actuated to drive the linking assembly and the swing object to move so the fan can swing up and down. Therefore, the electric fan provides gentle and sustained airflow to dissipate heat and make users feel truly comfortable.

Other objectives, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an electric fan in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the electric fan in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an operational partially side view of the electric fan in FIG. 1, showing a fan swinging upwards;

FIG. 4 is an operational partially side view of the electric fan in FIG. 1, showing the fan swinging downwards;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the electric fan in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the electric fan in FIG. 5 with a housing; and

FIG. 7 is a side view in partial section of the electric fan in FIG. 5 with the housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an electric fan in accordance with the present invention comprises a bracket (10), a transmission assembly (20), a linking assembly (30), a swing object (40) and a fan (50).

The bracket (10) has two stands (11) being parallel to each other. At least one of the stands (11) has a slot (12) formed longitudinally through the stand (11).

The transmission assembly (20) is mounted on the bracket (10) and has a motor (21) and a driven unit (22). The motor (21) has an output shaft (211) protruding between the stands (11). The output shaft (211) may be a worm rod. The driven unit (22) is attached rotatably to the bracket (10), is connected to and drove by the output shaft (211) and may have a worm gear engaging the output shaft (211).

With further reference to FIG. 3, the linking assembly (30) is connected to the transmission assembly (20) and has at least one bottom linking rod (31), at least one middle linking rod (32), a top linking rod (33) and a guide rod (34). Each one of the at least one bottom linking rod (31) has a bottom end and a top end. The bottom end of the at least one bottom linking rod (31) is connected securely to the driven unit (22). Each one of the at least one middle linking rod (32) corresponds to one of the at least one bottom linking rod (31) and has a bottom end and a top end. The bottom end of the at least one middle linking rod (32) is connected pivotally to the top end of the corresponding bottom linking rod (31). The top linking rod (33) has a bottom end and a top end. The bottom end of the top linking rod (33) is connected pivotally to the top end of the at least one middle linking rod (32). The guide rod (34) is mounted transversely through the bottom end of the top linking rod (33) and the top end of the at least one middle linking rod (32) to connect the top linking rod (33) and the at least one middle linking rod (32) pivotally, and is mounted movably through the at least one slot (12) of the bracket (10).

The swing object (40) is connected pivotally to the top end of the top linking rod (33) and has a moving end. A positioning shaft (41) is mounted transversely through the stands (11) and the swing object (40) to connect the swing object (40) and the stands (11) pivotally.

The fan (50) is connected to the moving end of the swing object (40) and may be a folding fan for convenient storage.

In a preferred embodiment, the bracket (10) further has a board (13) mounted between the stands (11). The driven unit (22) is mounted across one of the stands (11) and the board (13). The swing object (40) has a middle section and a pivoting end. The middle section of the swing object (40) is connected pivotally to the top end of the top linking rod (33). The positioning shaft (41) is mounted through the pivoting end of the swing object (40).

With reference to FIG. 4, the transmission assembly (20) drives the at least one bottom linking rod (31) to pivot and the guide rod (34) to move along the at least one slot (12) up and down. Then the top linking rod (33) drives the swing object (40) to move so the fan (50) can swing up and down as well. Therefore, the electric fan in accordance with the present invention provides gentle and sustained airflow to dissipate heat around users and make the users feel truly comfortable.

With reference to FIG. 5, in another preferred embodiment, the driven unit (22A) has two ends respectively protruding out of the stands (11A). The linking assembly (30A) has two bottom linking rods (31A), two middle linking rods (32), one top linking rod (33A) and one guide rod (34A). The bottom linking rods (31A) are respectively mounted on the ends of the driven unit (22A). The middle linking rods (32A) are respectively connected pivotally to the top ends of the bottom linking rods (31A). The swing object (40A) further has a middle section and a pivoting end. The pivoting end of the swing object (40A) is connected pivotally to the top end of the top linking rod (33A). The positioning shaft (41A) is mounted through the middle section of the swing object (40A).

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the electric fan in accordance with the present invention further comprise a housing (60), an LED (70) and an IC controller (80).

The fan (50A) has a reflective surface (51A) facing down.

The housing (60) covers the bracket (10A), the transmission assembly (20A) and the linking assembly (30A), allows the swing object (40A) and the fan (50A) to protrude out of the housing (60) and has a transparent part (61).

The LED (70) is mounted in the housing (60), corresponds to the transparent part (61) of the housing (60) and emits light to the reflective surface (51A) of the fan (50A).

The IC controller (80) is mounted in the housing (60) and is electrically connected to the LED (70) and the motor (21A). The IC controller (80) is operated to switch the LED (70) to provide lighting effect or start the motor (21A) to drive the fan (50A) to swing or place at a suitable angle.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and features of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only. Changes may be made in the details, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. An electric fan comprising: a bracket having two stands being parallel to each other and at least one of the stands having a slot formed longitudinally through the stand; a transmission assembly mounted on the bracket and having; a motor having an output shaft protruding between the stands; and a driven unit attached rotatably to the bracket and connected to and drove by the output shaft; a linking assembly connected to the transmission assembly and having; at least one bottom linking rod and each one of the at least one bottom linking rod having a bottom end connected securely to the driven unit; and a top end; at least one middle linking rod, and each one of the at least one middle linking rod corresponding to one of the at least one bottom linking rod and having a bottom end connected pivotally to the top end of the corresponding bottom linking rod; and a top end; a top linking rod having a bottom end connected pivotally to the top end of the at least one middle linking rod; and a top end; and a guide rod mounted transversely through the bottom end of the top linking rod and the top end of the at least one middle linking rod to connect the top linking rod and the at least one middle linking rod pivotally, and mounted movably through the at least one slot of the bracket; a swing object connected pivotally to the top end of the top linking rod and having a moving end, a positioning shaft mounted transversely through the stands and the swing object to connect the swing object and the stands pivotally; and a fan connected to the moving end of the swing object.
 2. The electric fan as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bracket further has a board mounted between the stands; the driven unit is mounted across one of the stands and the board; the swing object further has a middle section connected pivotally to the top end of the top linking rod; and a pivoting end; and the positioning shaft is mounted through the pivoting end of the swing object.
 3. The electric fan as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driven unit has two ends respectively protruding out of the stands; the linking assembly has two bottom linking rods respectively mounted on the ends of the driven unit; and two middle linking rods respectively connected pivotally to the top ends of the bottom linking rods; the swing object further has a middle section; and a pivoting end connected pivotally to the top end of the top linking rod; and the positioning shaft is mounted through the middle section of the swing object.
 4. The electric fan as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output shaft is a worm rod; and the driven unit has a worm gear engaging the output shaft.
 5. The electric fan as claimed in claim 2, wherein the output shaft is a worm rod; and the driven unit has a worm gear engaging the output shaft.
 6. The electric fan as claimed in claim 3, wherein the output shaft has a worm rod; and the driven unit has a worm gear engaging the output shaft.
 7. The electric fan as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fan is a folding fan.
 8. The electric fan as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fan is a folding fan.
 9. The electric fan as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fan is a folding fan.
 10. The electric fan as claimed in claim 4, wherein the fan is a folding fan.
 11. The electric fan as claimed in claim 5, wherein the fan is a folding fan.
 12. The electric fan as claimed in claim 6, wherein the fan is a folding fan.
 13. The electric fan as claimed in claim 1 further having a housing covering the bracket, the transmission assembly and the linking assembly, allowing the swing object and the fan to protrude out of the housing and having a transparent part; an LED mounted in the housing and corresponding to the transparent part of the housing; and an IC controller mounted in the housing and electrically connected to the LED and the motor.
 14. The electric fan as claimed in claim 2 further having a housing covering the bracket, the transmission assembly and the linking assembly, allowing the swing object and the fan to protrude out of the housing and having a transparent part; an LED mounted in the housing and corresponding to the transparent part of the housing; and an IC controller mounted in the housing and electrically connected to the LED and the motor.
 15. The electric fan as claimed in claim 3 further having a housing covering the bracket, the transmission assembly and the linking assembly, allowing the swing object and the fan to protrude out of the housing and having a transparent part; an LED mounted in the housing and corresponding to the transparent part of the housing; and an IC controller mounted in the housing and electrically connected to the LED and the motor.
 16. The electric fan as claimed in claim 4 further having a housing covering the bracket, the transmission assembly and the linking assembly, allowing the swing object and the fan to protrude out of the housing and having a transparent part; an LED mounted in the housing and corresponding to the transparent part of the housing; and an IC controller mounted in the housing and electrically connected to the LED and the motor.
 17. The electric fan as claimed in claim 5 further having a housing covering the bracket, the transmission assembly and the linking assembly, allowing the swing object and the fan to protrude out of the housing and having a transparent part; an LED mounted in the housing and corresponding to the transparent part of the housing; and an IC controller mounted in the housing and electrically connected to the LED and the motor.
 18. The electric fan as claimed in claim 6 further having a housing covering the bracket, the transmission assembly and the linking assembly, allowing the swing object and the fan to protrude out of the housing and having a transparent part; an LED mounted in the housing and corresponding to the transparent part of the housing; and an IC controller mounted in the housing and electrically connected to the LED and the motor.
 19. The electric fan as claimed in claim 7 further having a housing covering the bracket, the transmission assembly and the linking assembly, allowing the swing object and the fan to protrude out of the housing and having a transparent part; an LED mounted in the housing and corresponding to the transparent part of the housing; and an IC controller mounted in the housing and electrically connected to the LED and the motor.
 20. The electric fan as claimed in claim 13, wherein the fan has a reflective surface to reflect light emitted from the LED. 